Apparatus for popping corn



F. .|.A BEIER'.

APPARATUS FORPOPPING CORN. APPLICATION FILED Ame. 1915,

VRENEWED JAN. 71 1.922.

F. l. BEIEH.

` APPARATUS FOR POPPING CORN. ARPLICATION FILED Ams, 1915. nENEwED JAN. 7.1922.

mma oct. m, w22..

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

F. j.. BEER.

APPARATUS FOR POPPING CORN.' APPLICATION FILED APH. 9. 1915. nENEwED MN. 7.1922.

Pntmd Oct. 10

1922;, 4 SHEETS-SHEET s'.

F. J. BEIER.

APPARATUS FOR POPPNG CORN. APPLICATION FILED APR. 9, 1915.- nENEwED JAN. 1,1922.

1 ASL43& Patented 001. W9 i922. 4 SHEETSAHEET.

To` all lwhom `t may concern.

tramita ci. io, iaa.

FRANK LIOIIN BEIER, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, AssIGNon 'ro THE` siIo'rwnLI. i/IAivriI-` FACTUBING' COMPANY, or CHICAGO. ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION.

APPARATUS FOR POPEING- CORN.

Application led April 9, 1915, Serial No. 21,480. Renewedanuary 7, '1922. Serial No. 527,778.

Be it known `that I," FRANK J. B EIER, a citizen of the United States of America, and

resident of the city of Chicago, inthe county.`

of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented anew, useful, and improved Apparatus for Fopping Corn, of which the following is a description, reference being had tothe ac-` companying drawings,` forming la part of this specificatiomin `which similar letters and numerals of reference. in the several figures iefer to similar parts.

r1`hisinvention relates to an apparatusV for popping corn, and comprises means 'for feeding the corn from amass at a predetermined rate; means, including a relatively short, stationary` heating plate, forenclosing a preheating region; means, including a second` relatively short `stationaryheating plate, for

enclosing a poppingregion; Vmeans for heat-` ing the said plates; means for guiding the# corn from the heating region to the popping region; means for conveying the corn from the points where it is received from the feederthrough `the said heating and popping regions to a place of discharge; means for agitating the corn as it is passing through the heating .region and the popping `region and for causing it to be` retained, under agi- .i tation, for a relatively long period of time,"

in the said regions while it is traveling from the points where it is introduced to the said place of naldischarge; means for insuring the escape of the corn after popping, in unbroken condition; and means for separating the popped from the` unpopped corn.

`In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical, through the main parts of my popping apparatus.

\ Fig. 2 is avertical section ofthe corn feeding device looking in thedirection opposite to that'in whichithe parts shown in Fig. 3 is a vertical section through a part of` Fig. 2, on the line m--m looking in the longitudinal section for the operation of Fig. 6 is aside view of the main parts of the said mechanism. i

Figs. 7 and 8 illustrate parts of said mechanism in another .'position.

Fig. 9 is an end view of parts shown in F ig..6. l i

Fig. 10 is a vertical cross section through the apparatus onthe broken/line g-r-st-w-fu ofF ig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows shownnear g and o.

Mis a"magazinenfor corn, shown in the form o-f a glass bowl, which may be pro-` vided with a suitable lid at its top and a discharge opening 10 at its bottom. This opening 10 leads into a feeding chamber `11,

provided inr the partly cylindrical corn feeder F. The latter isconnected by meansV `ofashaft` 12, a sprocket wheel 13, achain 14, a sprocket wheel 15, a shaft 16, spiral gears 17 and y18, a shaft 19, a wormgear20, 21,`a shaft 22, a sprocket wheel 23, a chain 24C, a sprocket wheel 25 and a wormgear 26, 27 to a motor 28. In the feeding chamber 11 is adjustably arranged a plate 29 rigidly connected to a plate 30 constructed toslide in a slot 31 formed between and by plates 32, rigidly Connected to a ring inclined preferably at an angle of Ll5 degrees relatively to the slotBl. By turning i the handle SS (by hand) with its disk 33 and the pin 34h` relatively to the ring 32A and the plates 32, the plates 30 and `29 move relatively to the horizontal center line of the corn feeder, F, and thus the feeding chamber 11 becomes eitherlarger or 'smaller at will of the operator who has thereby a' `means of adjusting the amount of corn fed during each revolution of the shaft 12 from the magazine M through a conduit 36 into a heating chamber H. The rotary `corn feeder F is intended to rotate in the direcaction of its gravity, through the canal 37,` but allowing a passage l of kernels partly within and partly without the feeding chamber 11 and thus safeguarding against a damaging of these kernels by the edges formed f between .the straight surfacesof the chamher 11 and the cylindrical outside of the corn feeder F.. The conduit 36 is preferably provided with side openings at Z for facilitat- H1 carry in common one of two parallel sprocket'chains C and C1, connected one to the other by means of a plurality of agitating bars 39, 39. These bars extend across the heating chambers and are arranged to move on lines adjacent to the upper surfaces of the heating plates P and P1, and in directions longitudinal thereof.4 The two shafts S and S1 are connected by worm gears 40, 41 and 42, 43 respectively to a shaft 44 revoluble in a sleeve 45. The latter `is integral. with a plate 46 engaged by a slot 47 with a crank pin 48 of the crank disk 49which is rigidly connected to and revoluble with the shaft 22 and the sprocket ywheel 23. The worms 41 and 43 are so long as not to be disengaged from the gear wheels 40 and 42 respectively by a reciprocating movement of the shaft 44, this motion being eifected by a revolving of the shaft 22 and by the corresponding function of the crank pin 48 in the slot 47. The reciprocating longitudinal movement of the shaft 44 and of the worms 41 and 43 effects a reciprocating rotary movement of the gear-wheels 40 and 42 and of the shafts S and S1 respectively and also of the sprocket wheels rigidly connected near the ends of these shafts. In consequence, a reciprocating movement of the sprocket chains C and C1 and of the agitating bars 39 is effected and with corn supplied on the plates P and P1, this corn may be moved alternately in opposite directions. The shaft 44 carries also a gear wheel 50 engaging with a gear wheel 51 and made so long las not to become disengaged from the shaft 44 being reciprocated by the crank disk 49. A gear wheel 52 secured to the shaft of the wheel 51, and engages with a gear wheel 53 carried by the shaft 19. By revolving the latter b-y means of the sprocket wheel 23, revolution ofthe gear wheels 52, 51' and 50 of the shaft 44, of the worm gears 41, 40 and 43, 42 of the shafts S and S', and of the sprocket wheels carried by these shafts is effected. Iny consequence and with a continuous revolving of the shaft 19 in one direction, a continuousl travel of the sprocket chains C and C1 with the agitating bars 39 is effected inone direction with respect to the position occupied at each moment by said chains and bars on account of their reciprocating movement as hereabove described; and the bars 39 not only effect a reciprocal agitation of corn on the heating plates P and P1, but slowly move corn delivered from the corn feeder F on the upper heating plate P towards the left end of this plate` referring to Fig. 1, and after dropping the corn on the lower heating plate P1, move it on the surface of the latter towards the right end thereof. Bent fiat bars 54 with narrow slots between them fori'ning passages for warm air or warm gaseous products of combustion insure the delivery of corn dropped from plate P to the surface of plate P1.

The separator employed for separating the popped corn from the corn which leaves the lower heating plate P1 in an unpopped state, is illustrated in Figures 1 and 11,

and consists of a number of bars 55 with slots between them large enough for the passage of unpopped corn. To prevent damaging any popped kernel of the corn at the instant of its dropping over the edge of the plate below it, a light plate P2 is positioned at the end of the main heating plate P1 and arranged to swing downward. It is pivotally supported on a transverse horizontal axis, indicated by b. A rod 56 is fixed to the plate P2 and is inclined therefrom across the vertical plane of the hinge axis of the plate. 57 is a weight adjustably fastened to the rod 56. Then the plate is forced down the weight swings upward, and then acts to return the plate to normal position.

lf any rod 39, while moving relatively backward, should engage with a kernel and press it against the plate P2 the pressure will cause the downward swinging of the plate not only to a position where the pressure will be relieved but to a still lower position, and the weight 57 is correspondingly moved upward.V Thus the kernel becomes free and either drops upon or through the bars 55, or it is shoved towards the upper surface of the plate P1. Bars S0 limit the downward motion of the plate P1. Each bar 55 has its ends, respectiwly, fastened within clamps 5S and 59, and a part thereof is bent in a quarter circle with a radius a little larger than the pitch radius of each of two pairs of sprocket wheels mounted on shafts 60 and 61 and carrying two sprocket chains 62 and G3, connected one to the other by means of rods 64 fastened revolubly in links of the sprocket chains and carrying disks 65 in such a way that they may enter `and travel within the slots provided between the bars 55. By revolving the shaft 60 and 61 in the direction indicated by arrows, the disks 65 revolving with the rods 64, carry popped corn dropped from the plate P2 on the bars 55, towards f is preferably made transparent and may por fla1nes,`an electric current may be em-v resinas .1 areceptaclelocatedat R while the unpopped corn drops from the plate l?? through the` n `sprocket chains62,- 63 and 82, the sprocket `wheel Eiland the sprocket wheel 83 ymounted on the` shaft 16.` 66` is a siipplylpipe `for fluid fuel, preferably for combustible gas, io

and communicates with `a pluralityT of lire y rtubes 67, `67` provided with apertures 68, 68

uis not shown, notbeing apart of this in-A forthe outflow ofthe fuel. The fire `tubes 67,67 are .located below the heating plate P1.. Air forburning the fuel maybe suppliedthrough openings 69, 69` or in case ithe* `whole apparatus is enclosed in a casing,...preferably` with transparent (glass) walls., the required air may be, `supplied througha canali70, with walls extending through the walls of said casing. Thelatter vention, and its application is understood by any mechanicj The fiame piOClUCGd by i i. burning` the gas issuing from tubes 67, 67, 235` .1 products of `combustion flowithrough `the heats the plate P1 `and the resulting gaseous i `canal 71v partly through slots between the barse, into the lower heating `chamber H1 and partly- Paist thesebars "54C into the upper `heating chamber H from which they may escape through an opening i 72 shown `in dotted lines in Fig.` 1, Also products of combustion may escape from` the heating chamber H1 through apassage 73 andthe opening 72 after `having imparted heat to j: `the underside of theheatingplate P. The canal 71,-the upperheatingchamber H and i ployedifor this purpose.

thepassage 7 3 are preferably providedwith a` .heat insulating` wall 7 4.- A part of the side walls `of the heating chambers H and H1 incidental outside interference' and damage,

Aglightj plate E or two light plates E' and lill maybe provided in the lower heating chamber fl? and` pivotally supported at their upper parts for checking the` jumping y of the popping corn without interferingL with itsagitation and conveying. `Instead ofproducingthe requiredheat by a flame The apparatus operates as follows i `With corn suppliedto the magazine M, the heating of the plates" P and P1, or PS, maybegin according to the kindof plates employed, by means of a flame or .by .means of electricity and as soon as the "heating plates become warm, the motor 28 or any suitable source of motion may start to rober. H1,= where it is. `heated to the popping temperature, and Linder constant agitation conveyed towards the separator bars 55, where thepopped cornis separated from the unpopped. The latter drops into the hopper R ,and the formeris delivered to a suitable receptacle positioned i at R.

`The kernels are coldwhen they. are fed tothe upper plate. `ltisnecessary to heat each of the kernels to aV comparatively high degree, .to distribute the heatV uniformly through each, and to yheat all of the kernels uniformly. To accomplish the first object they shouldbe retained in the pre-heating region for a considerable period of time and brought moreorfless gradually to the high popping temperature. If they` are, from the instantof entry, advanced continuously through the i pre-heating region,` their path of transit `must be greatly elongated. They mustfbe. kept in constant agitation upon the heatin surface. That is, they must have a rapfi movement relative to that surface. By providing, as I do,imeans which positively.A engage with the kernels and move them relatively backward on the pre-heating plate, 'and then move them relatively forward, -l secure a `more or lessfrapid and violent agitating and rollingof the kernels without rapidly advancingthem toward the delivery'end. I accomplish all of these purposesin a small horizontal area, the heat* i ing plates being only eight or ten inches in i length. If chain supportedbars, or equivailentl positivelyfacting kernel-engaging del vices are used they can be caused to advancethekernels` as short a distance as one-sixteenthof an inohifor each cycle, although the total distance traveled-during each re-v ciprocation is much greater. 1 l

I claim: i 1. In a 4mechanism means .for heating it, and thee means for supplying corn'theretofof the bars arranged transversely to the top surface ofthe plate,

`means for continuously advancing the bars, 4and devices for reciprocating the `barad vancing means while said bars are advanc 2.` ln a mechanism ofthe class described,

means forheating fitr and the means for supplyingcorn thereto, of the endless chain carrierglhaving cross'bars attachedv thereto which are closely adjacent to the. top sur` 4 face of the popping plate, and which are advanced by the chain along said plate, and

of the class described the combination with the popping plate, thel `thecombination with the popping plate, the f means for reciprocating the chain bodily while it s advancing the bars.

In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with the popping plate, the

' means for heating it and the means for suptively to the lines of advance of the plate,

and to then move them backward a lesser predetermined distance relatively thereto, said devices advancing bodily in one direction.

5. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with the popping plate, the means for heating it, and the means for supplying corn thereto, of kernel-engaging cross bars immediately above the popping plate which reciprocate longitudinally of the plate and Vbodily advance while reciproeating.

6; In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with the popping plate, the means for' heating it and the means for supplying corn thereto, of kernel engaging crossv bars adapted to travel immediately above the popping-plate, means for carrying said bars continuously through a cycle of movement, and means forimparting to the saidbarsa plurality of reciprocatory cycles of movement while they are traveling through the main movement cycle. f

7.y In a mechanism of the class described,

the combination with the popping plate, the

means for heating it, and the means for supplying. corn thereto, of the kernel-engaging cross bars arranged to travel immediately above the plate, means for moving said bars bodily from end to end ofthe said plate, and means for intermittingly causing each of said bars to move relatively backward during the period of its travel from end to end ofthe plate. Y

8. Ina mechanism of the class described,

, the combination of the stationary horizontal popping plate, the stationary pre-heating plate, the endless-agitating and advancing means having corn engaging devices which travel continuously first on lines adjacent the uppery surface of the popping plate and then on lines adjacent the upper surface of the pre-heating. plate, whereby the corn while being agitated is advanced uniformly at a predetermined rate over all parts of both 'plates by the the same corn engaging devices.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of the stationary horizont-:1l popping plate, the stationary horizontal preheating plate, t-he agitating and advancing means comprising endless chains, cross bars arranged to travel on lines adjacent the upper surfaces of the said plates successively, t-he chain supporting and guiding devices, and means for reciprocating the chain supports longitudinally of the plates.

l0. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with the casing, the stationary popping plate, the stationary preheating plate, and the means traveling continuously along the surface of the pre-heating plate and then along the surface of the Apopping plate to agitate and propel the corn, of the curved corn guide having its operative surface at the lower end coinciding` with the surface of the popping plate and adapted to conduct corn from the pre-heating plate without obstruction to the popping plate.

ll.y In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of the casing, the stationary popping plate, the stationary pre-heating plate and the corn advancing and agitating mechanism, of the curved chute receiving the corn from the pre-heating plate and having its corn engaging face arranged to conduct the corn in contact therewith directly to the popping plate, and means for delivering currents of heated air or gas between said chute and the end wall of the casing, and

-conduct it to the region above the pre-heating plate.

l2. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of the casing, the stationary popping plate, the stationary pre-heating plate, the heating chamber below the popping plate adapted to contain volumes of hot air or gas, the iiue or duct for hot air and gas extending from the said chamber around the receiving end of the popping plate and the delivery end of the pre-heating plate, and the guide for corn which conducts it from the end of the prc-heating plate and delivers it to the upper surface of the popping plate.

13'. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination with the stationary popping plate, the endless carrier having cross bars traveling near the plate, and the means for moving the cross bars backward while the chains are advancing them, the plate at the end of the popping plate arranged to have the corn kernels pass over it and adapted to automatically swing` downward to permit the escape of kernels when engaged by the backward moving cross bars.

FRANK JOHN BEIER.

IVitnesses FRANK J. SMITH, LUCY A. Coon. 

